Football: Tigers take a bite out of Iola
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The Weekender Saturday, October 26, 2013
Kansas Guardsmen helping in Colorado
A joint task force of 75 engineers from the Kansas National Guard, including several from Iola’s 891st Engineer Battalion, deployed to Colorado Oct. 16 to aid in rebuilding highways damaged by recent flooding. Nearly a year’s worth of rain fell in a matter of hours causing the devastation in mid-September. The Kansas National Guardsmen deployed from Salina, and reported to the Colorado National Guard armory in Boulder. They are expected to be in Colorado three weeks. Equipment for the mission is being supplied by the Colorado National Guard. In addition to the 891st, Guardsmen are from the 226th Engineer Company (Augusta), 242nd Engineer Company (Coffeyville), 772nd Engineer Company (Pittsburg), 190th Air Refueling Wing Civil Engineering Squadron (Topeka), and 184th Intelligence Wing Civil Engineering Squadron (Wichita). “Our Guardsmen are always ready and willing to respond when a disaster hits, either at home or to help our neighbors in other states,” said Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, adjutant general. “Just last year, some of our helicopter crews responded to assist in combating wildfires in Colorado, and I know our friends out there would be just as willing to come to our aid.” The joint team of Army and Air Kansas Guardsmen See GUARD | Page A7
AT HOME ON THE ROAD Workers live nomadic life with freedoms, challenges
By STEVEN SCHWARTZ The Iola Register
Over the past few months, there has been an influx of temporary citizens in Allen County. They are drawn from across the state and even the country, a seen but unheard minority working in the community. The U.S. 54 construction and Enbridge pipeline construction began during the summer in Allen County — the former affecting roadways from the east side of Iola through the east side of LaHarpe, and the latter cutting diagonally across the county, just east of Humboldt. Numerous workers employed by the companies live a life on the road, sometimes moving three or four times in the span of a year. It’s a life often unrecognized, for its difficulties and its advantages.
At top, a Koss Construction worker takes a brief pause during his work on U.S. 54. Above, Matthew Burns surveys Enbridge pipeline work east of LaHarpe. REGISTER/STEVEN SCHWARTZ
Crime has lighter side
Former KBI agent recalls humorous events from 20-year career By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
It’s a good bet that no one in the business of law enforcement takes it any more seriously than Tom Williams during his 36 years. Williams told Iola Rotarians Thursday during his 20 years as a Kansas Bureau of Investigation special agent he investigated 200 homicides. He was one of 23 agents in the state during his tenure and was responsible for response in 16 counties. “An agent can’t just go into a city or county, we have to be invited by the chief of police, sheriff or county attorney,” Williams said. The lone crime that can lead to the KBI initiating an investigation is grain theft, Williams added, an apparent holdover from when the agency came onto the Kansas law enforcement scene in 1939. Today the KBI has many more agents than when Williams was active; he retired about 10 years ago. He said the emergence
of cyber crimes, associated with and perpetuated by computer systems and the Internet, had led to expansion of the force. While Williams would never make light of the serious nature of crime, he had many humorous experiences in his investigations. He shared Tom Williams some with Rotarians. A crime of passion led to a husband sneaking into a home one night where he found his wife involved with another man. Even though he had just one leg, the jilted and infuriated husband prevailed. He hit the guy in the head with his fist and left. The victim suffered from a condition known as eggshell skull and was struck with such force that his skull was broken in several places, which led to his death. See KBI | Page A7
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No.1
“SOMETIMES you get attached to these little towns,” Randy Brown said while taking a break from work at Koss Construction headquarters in LaHarpe. Brown is a quality control technician with Koss, based out of Topeka, and has worked for the company for over 22 years. His father has worked for the company for 35 years. “I guess Topeka is where I call my home now,” he said. He already has lived in multiple locations in 2013, in an RV on site. “Everyone has their own niche,” Jamie Lalicker, Brown’s co-worker and field office administrator for 12 years, said. She swiveled around in her office chair in the main office. “Some stay in hotels, apartments, a lot of people stay in trailers. We actually have very little turnover.” Brown said most employees live within 25 miles of the work site, due to the daily commute. It’s a “dawn to dusk” type of job, so the hours don’t lend to much free time during the week. Lalicker’s husband works for Koss as well — they live in a trailer on site. Brown is not married. They said many See ROAD | Page A3
A LASTING EFFECT Dunlap makes Scouting a lifelong passion
Andy Dunlap marches with Scout Troop No. 55 during the Farm-City Days Parade Oct. 19. REGISTER/STEVEN SCHWARTZ
By STEVEN SCHWARTZ The Iola Register
Andy Dunlap’s name has become synonymous with Boy Scouts in Iola. Rightfully so, he has had a hand in it for more than 30 years. Dunlap’s father, Bob, was in Iola Troop 55 in the early 1920s, and he began with the troop in 1947 as a Cub Scout. His three sons are Eagle Scouts, and he has grandchildren involved with Boy Scouts. “I feel like my time is well invested with Scouts,” said Dunlap, 74. Originally from Iola, he moved back with his family in 1977 from Reno, Nev. His oldest son, Chris, received his Eagle Scout rank in Reno. His other sons, Doug and Bryan, achieved the rank with the Iola troop. Bryan’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremo-
“The best cure for insomnia is to get a lot of sleep.”
ny sticks out in his mind. On a rainy day in Independence, President Gerald Ford shook Bryan’s hand and pinned his Eagle Scout badge on his Boy Scout uniform. Ford was in Independence for another ceremony, and being an Eagle Scout himself, made a point of attending the ceremony. Dunlap said all of the area newspapers were at the ceremony for the six Scouts receiving the honors — including The Register’s Bob Johnson. The importance of Boy Scouts is recognized across all generations, and through all facets of American culture. “Scouting broadens the kids’ experiences and contacts,” he said. Dunlap became Scoutmaster for the Iola troop in 1977, and remained in the position for “10 or 12 years.” He then started working with
— W.C. Fields
75 Cents
See DUNLAP | Page A3
Hi: 63 Lo: 34 Iola, KS